Just being reported, Clay County legendary coach Bobby Keith has passed away this afternoon.

 

RIP Coach!

 

Longtime Clay County basketball coach Bobby Keith dies at 75

 

MANCHESTER, Ky. (WYMT) - Former Clay County boys basketball coach Bobby Keith died Wednesday, according to Clay County Coroner Danny Finley .

In July, Keith was hospitalized in Lexington after battling health issues for several months. He eventually recovered and returned home.

Keith died at Manchester Memorial Hospital just after 5 p.m. from an apparent heart attack, the coroner said. He was 75 years old.

Keith spent 29 seasons on the sideline as head coach of the Clay County Tigers, retiring with a record of 767-125. His 767 wins rank fifth on Kentucky's all-time list.

He led the Tigers to 14 13th region championships. He also guided the program to three Sweet 16 championship games, winning the state title in 1987.

The Clay County/Ballard matchups...that's what I think of first when I think of the Sweet 16.

RIP Coach Keith. A true mountain legend and treasure to be around. High School basketball in the state of Kentucky will not be the same without him. Prayers to Clay County as his family.

I remember the first time I saw one of his teams play...that had Sean Pennington on that team. I watched Clay County a lot back in the 80's and was always impressed by how hard those kids played.

 

RIP Coach Keith.

The guy is a KY High School legend. RIP Bobby

^

 

I was going to say a legend in EKY but I agree more with a basketball legend for the state of KY. RIP Coach.

During my years spent in the 13th region, Clay County and Bobby Keith owned it. Nothing but respect for the man, the legend. Job well done, Coach.

A high school basketball coaching legend. RIP Coach Keith.

 

I remember when my school's team traveled to Manchester in the early '80's for a preseason scrimmage. The teams were warming up and he had a few kids that could tear the rim off with dunks. He was chatting with our head coach, Charlie Turner, about basketball stuff and the upcoming season. Coach Turner commented, "Coach, your kids look like a college team with all those dunks!"

Keith replied, "Yeah I have several who can do that. Mostly they just make good warm up players for the fans. That doesn't happen after the tipoff."

Lol. Then he proceeded to give us a good hardwood thrashing.

For over a decade three things were guaranteed. Death, taxes and the Tigers playing in the Sweet 16. I love watching his mid to late 80's squads.

Brian Milam posted this on Facebook:

 

My close friend and one of my biggest supporters, Bobby Keith, died today. Without a doubt, one of the most remarkable men I have ever encountered. His numbers were beyond belief.

 

He coached at Clay County from 1970-1994, and then again from 1997-1999 with a record of 767-125. Coach Keith won the 1987 Sweet 16 state title and had runner-up finishes in 1985 and 1988. Coach was 18-1 in 13th region championship games and still holds the mark with his teams winning 129 straight home games.

 

I first watched him coach in the 1988 Sweet 16 state semfinals where Clay County beat PRP 92-90. The next time I saw him was when Clay County came to my alma mater, Butler, during the 1990 season. Butler lost that game 72-70 and would you believe he told me how the game went EXACTLY as I remembered it!! I first covered his teams when I went to WYMT in 1998. I was there when he won the 1998 region title against Red Bird 56-51. Coach Keith retired, for good, after the 1999 season. His WORST record during his 29 seasons was 20-7. Think about that for a minute, his WORST record. Those are the numbers, if you would let me tell you about the man.

 

He was a giant. In my mind, he reminded me of a combination John Wayne, Ted Williams, John Wooden, and Jack Palance (the actor). He fit the term 'coach' probably better than any person I've met in my life. He did it his way. Right or wrong, he was in charge and everyone knew it. My first real interview with him came in 2000 from the living room at his house. I learned more about his life in that time and we forged a bond which will stay with me forever. In many ways, he was like a grandfather to me. He gave me advice when I needed it and he was always armed with a smile which made you feel beyond important. Coach always asked me to stop at his clothing store, Dobson and Keith, and forced me to buy something! However, he always told his daughter or girls working in the store to give me 70-75% off the tag! The first shirt I ever wore from his store was the night UofL beat UK in football in 2000. In fact, I am today wearing a tie I purchased from him in 2001. I haven't worn it in years, maybe his spirit picked it for me today. I wouldn't doubt it because he had that type of impact on those he cared about. We always hugged and laughed every time I was in Manchester and at the WYMT Mountain Classic.

 

As some of you know, he had been in ill health recently and was at a hospital in Lexington close to my home. Several months ago I went to visit him for about two hours. We laughed, we cried, we hugged, we told stories, and we connected again on a much deeper level. He raved about his beautiful wife and those who had sent well wishes. In a strange twist of coincidence, or irony, I was wearing his Bobby Keith Classic t-shirt the day I found out he was in the hospital and wore it when I visited.

 

Coach was respected, admired, loved, feared, but most of all appreciated for what he did in the lives of his community. He was and forever will be Clay County and my friend. God Bless you Coach, I will never forget the lessons you taught, the laughter we shared, and the tears we shed, and love you gave me. I love you does not even begin to cover the emotions of today. The last words he ever said to me, "I love you son." I responded, "And I love you Coach."

They were talking about him on the radio this morning. What a legend. RIP Coach.

 

129 in a row? Will that ever be topped?

A great friend that was probably the best high school basketball coach I have ever witnessed in Ky. I felt he got more out of his talent and got them to play their role within his system. His teams were so entertaining to watch because they could play at any level being so well coached. Sad to see him go. Helped to provide so many great memories ,not only for Clay County fans, but basketball fans who were lucky enough to see his teams play.

I remember Clay County teams as being disciplined and fundamentality sound on both sides of the floor. Coach Keith commanded his teams as a true leader. He was a true gentlemen when I got to speak to him once at the state tournament. They don't make coaches like that anymore. RIP

Guy could flat out coach. Great story teller too.

 

Here's my Bobby Keith story:

When I was 7-10 years old, my Dad broadcast the Sweet 16 for the local radio station. Well, my brother and I would go every year and when the afternoon session was over we'd go out on the floor and shoot (highlight of my life at the time, for sure).

Coach Keith comes out of the locker room area at Rupp and sees us shooting. I remember draining a couple of long ones and as he's walking across the floor he says, "Son, you live in Clay County?" I reply with a "No Sir". "Well, that's too bad. I could use you in a couple of years."

Great guy that will be missed by the entire state.